Vrocystis. 197 



On \Yurmhea dioiai F. v. M. 



Victoria — Near Melbourne, Sept., 1902. 



This plant was in flower when this smut was obtained, and it afEected the 

 lower leaves badly, while the upper leaves merely showed indications of it. 



There is generally only a solitary spore, and very occasionally two, but no 

 more were observed. 



Although this species was first referred to U. colchici (Schl.) Rab. in Proc. 

 Linn. Soc. N.8.W., XXVIII., p. 102 (1903), yet on closer examination and 

 comparison it is found to differ sufficiently to constitute a new species. 



The specimen of Uroci/stis colchici from Sydow's Ust. Exs. No. 246 

 shows that while the spore-ball may consist of a single spore, there are 

 frequently two and three or even four spores. The spores are of a sepia- 

 brown, subglobose to ovoid or irregular oblong, 12-15 /; diam., or varying 

 in length from 1()-21 /(. The spore-balls may occasionally reach a lenath 

 of 50 ^'. 



(Plate LII.) 



Hf/poxis. 

 !U. Urocystis hypoxydis Thaxt. 



Thaxter, Ann. Rep. Conn. Agr. Exp. 8ta., p. 153 (1889). 

 Sacc. Syll. IX., p. 290 (1891). 

 Sori in the flowers, destroying and distorting them, also in the leaves, 

 especially in the basal portion, causing irregular swellings, at first 

 covered by the leaden-coloured epidermis, then rupturing to allow 

 the escape of the black dusty spore-masses. 



Spore-balls spherical to ovoid or oblong, 25-5-t ^( long. 

 Spores ruddy-brown, spherical to oval or polygonal, smooth, 

 1-8 but mostly 3-5 in a ball, 9-1(5 /Lt, average 13 /t long ; sterile 

 cells yellowish to pale transparent brown, oval to ellipsoid, com- 

 pletely covering the spores, about same length as spores but not 

 so broad. 



On flowers, leaves, and sheath of bulb of Hypoxis glabella R. Br. 



Victoria — Ardmona, Oct., 1897 (Robinson). Warracknabeal, -Tulv, 

 1903, March, 1904 (Reader). 

 This species was found by Thaxter on Hypoxis erecfa L. in Connecticut, but 

 •only on the flowers, pedicels, and peduncles. 

 ■n'[^Germination not known. 



(Plate LII.) 



Secale, Lolium, Poa. 

 65. Urocystis occulta (Wallr.) Rab. 



Ra])enliorst in Herb. Viv. Myc. II., No. 393 (1856). 

 Brefeld, Unters. Gesammt. Myk. XII., p. 175 (1895). 

 Sacc. Syll. VII., p. 515 (1888). 

 Sori in leaves, leaf-sheaths, stems, and glumes, forming long streaks, 

 at first covered by the leaden-coloured epidermis, then erumpent, 

 exposing the powdery and l)lack spores. 



Spore-balls globose, elliptical, or oblong, 20-3(5 x 14-32 //, 

 exceptionally 42 x 36 ;i. 



Spores dark golden-brown, spherical to oblong, 1-3 or occasionally 

 4-5 in a ball, 12-18 ^t long ; sterile peripheral cells generally partially, 

 but sometimes completely, investing the spores, pale-yellowish, oval. 

 6-10 jii long. 



